andMr. Carew asked the Minister for Lands if he is aware of the disemployment of many forestry workers in recent weeks in East Cork and East Limerick; and if in view of the great hardship imposed on these men he will sympathetically consider having them re-employed forthwith.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Disemployment of Limerick and Cork Forestry Workers.
23.
There have been no large-scale reductions in the numbers of men employed at the Forests in East Cork and East Limerick recently. At some centres there have been or will be fluctuations in staff on the completion of the Winter work programmes but seasonal variations of this nature have always been a normal feature of forestry employment.
My information is that the overall level of employment expected to be provided at the Forests in question during the coming six months will be about the same as during the Winter season. During the Winter the average weekly number of men employed at those Forests was 275 and it is anticipated that the work programmes for the coming season will provide employment for almost the same number of men.
Some of the disemployed men were at work at Ballyhooley, in County Cork. Large tracts of land suitable for afforestation, contiguous to that forest, have been on offer to the Land Commission for the past four years. Would the Minister take steps to expedite the acquisition of these lands so that the men in question can be re-employed and as many others employed who are now unemployed?
I am glad to learn that land is available and on offer in the vicinity of Ballyhooley because that is not my information.
I can give the Minister the names and addresses of the people concerned.